The evolutionary functions of consciousness.
W. Tecumseh Fitch, Colin Allen, Adina L Roskies
Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci November 13, 2025 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2024.0299 via PubMed Central
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractThe question of whether consciousness evolved, and what adaptive problems it solved, remains underexplored in consciousness studies. This special issue introduction discusses terminology, theoretical frameworks, and possible answers, drawing on contributions from 28 scholars. It argues that understanding the evolutionary functions of consciousness is central to biology and evolution, regardless of which species possess it. The issue aims to fill a gap in the literature by examining how consciousness might have provided survival advantages.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Citations | 4 |
| Key finding | The adaptive function(s) of consciousness is a central but underexplored question in consciousness studies, which this special issue aims to address. |
Abstract
did consciousness evolve? Assuming that some species (e.g. humans) have consciousness and others (e.g. redwoods or mushrooms) do not, what problem(s) did consciousness evolve to solve? From a biological and evolutionary viewpoint, and regardless of which species have consciousness (or to what degree), this question of the adaptive function(s) of consciousness is central. Nonetheless, the growing discipline of consciousness studies has not yet fully engaged with this issue. The current special issue aims to help fill this important gap in the literature with contributions from 28 noted scholars in the field. In this introduction, we discuss basic terminological issues and potential pitfalls, provide a broad theoretical framework, consider some of the many possible answers to this central question and offer brief summaries of the included papers.This article is part of the theme issue 'Evolutionary functions of consciousness'.